Blackpool’s free attractions attracted a massive number of visitors in 2023, according to new figures released. Huge crowds have been enjoying spectacles like the Air Show, the World Fireworks Championships and the Illuminations.
The resort has one of the biggest event programmes of any UK seaside town. Official figures for visitor numbers in 2023 are not available yet, but recently published figures from the STEAM report, which analyses data from tourism and hospitality businesses, has shown Blackpool welcomed just over 20 million visitors in 2022.
The most recent tourism performance report for 2023 from the council says: “Against the backdrop of some of the economic factors affecting household spend, the almost universal appeal of these high-quality family events cannot be overstated.
Over the past few months, we have seen record crowds at the Air Show, Switch-On, World Fireworks and Lightpool Festival. “Last year, the Illuminations extension and Christmas By The Sea also delivered record footfall to the promenade during the winter months.” READ MORE: Royal Mail issues delay warning as Blackpool sorting office work is carried out READ MORE: On the Blackpool streets earmarked to become the resort's new 'Gay Quarter' Mobile phone data showed footfall on the Promenade of 350,000 over the two days of the air show, which was an increase on the previous year.